Multiple ampul



S. KABNICK Sept. 10, 1929.

MULTIPLE AMPUL Filed March 13, 1929 STUART KABNIGK fliivrnell Patented Sept. 10,1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Application filed Ian]: 1:, ma. mm Io. 846,8.

This-invention relates to improvements in ampules for use in the therapeutic art and more particularly to ampules of the multiple compartment type wherein difierent drugs or the like are maintained in' separated relation until that time when they are to be mixed together.

Heretofore and prior to this invention resort has been had to various expedients for maintaining dififerent drugs in separated relation preliminary to their mixture, this being usually effected by storing each of the drugs in an individually sealed ampul. In some instances, the ampul is characterized by the provision of several compartments, usually two, separated by a web or partition of frangible material, the drugs being individually sealed within the compartments so formed. In order to eflect the desired mixture of the drugs this frangible partition is pierced by means of a separate tool, such as a rod or probe, inserted longitudinally through the upper compartment of the ampul. In

v other instances, the ampul is provided with a lever operable to break the partition and so afi'ord communication between the several compartments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple-compartment ampul wherein auxiliary tools or levers for breaking the partition or wall separating the several 1 compartments have been entirely eliminated,

the construction of the present am 111 being such as to provide the simplest possi le means for effecting the transfer of the drug contained in one compartment into the next adjoining compartment.

A further object of the present invention is to considerably simplify the construction of and thereby reduce the expense of manufacturing multiple-compartment ampules.

A still further obj act of the invention is the provision of a dual ampul, the upper compartment thereof being adapted to contain a therapeutic agent and the lower compartment a separate therapeutic agent which is adapted to be mixed with said first agent to provide a drug in solution, the ampul being so constructed that simultaneously as the two compartments are separated a suitable outlet is provided in the bottom of the upper compartment through which the agent contained therein may pass into the lower compartment for mixture with the other a ent.

St ll another object of the invention is the provision of a'dual ampul characterized by the fact that the upper compartment thereof is provided at one end with an elongated hollow stem of reduced diameter extending into the lower compartment and at its opposite end with a hermetically sealed tip, the

stem being operative to restrict the flow of the therapeutic agent from the upper compartment into the lower compartment until after the said tip has been broken off.

-Other objects and advanta es of the invention will appear more full y hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of the several parts thereof, all as appears more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, which for purposes of ilustration and example show one embodiment of the present invention:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dual ampul constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the upper compartmental section of the ampul separated from the lower compart mental section thereof;

Figure 3 shows the upper section in lo tudinally spaced relation with respect to t a lower section, said upper section being shown open to atmospheric pressure to thereb permit the therapeutic agent contained therein to flow freely into the lower section for mixture with the second agent; and

Figure 4 shows the mixed solution within the lower compartmental section of the ampul together with a holder for supporting said section in position during the withdrawal of the solution therefrom by means of a syringe.

Referrin more particularly to the drawings it wi 1 be observed that the present ampul, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is constructed entirely of glass or other such frangible and fusible material and consists of an upper compartmcntal section 11 and a lower compartmental section 12, said sections respectively containing separate therapeutic agents adapted to be subse uent- 1y mixed to other to form a desired so ution for use in t ierapy or a kindred art wherein it is'of primary lmportance that the individual a ents be maintained in separated state until tfiat time when they are to be mixed together.

As appears quite clearly m the drawings, the upper section- 11 of the dual ampul consists ofa main tubular body 13 from the bottom end of which extends an elongated hollow stem 14 of relatively small diameter, the lower end of said stem being suitably sealed, as by melting the glass. uitably formed upon the opposite or upper end of the body 13 is a ti 15, the open end of which 1s also adapted to be sealed, as at 16, after the body 13 has been filled with a suitable agent 16. It will be observed that this agent 17, which is usu ally a liquid, is commonly contained wit-hm the body 13 and its hollow stem 14.

The lower section 12 of the ampul also consists of a main tubular body 18 of a diameter substantially equal to but of a length greater than that of the tubular body 13. This tubular body 18 forms the lower compartmentof the ampul and is filled or partially filled w th a second therapeutic agent or drug 19, WhlCll latter may be in the form of a gas, liquid or dry substance. The bottom end of the tubular body 18 is closed, as at 20, while the upper end is normally open. When both the upper and lower sections of the ampul have been filled with their respective agents 17 and 19, the said sections are brought together in the relation best shown in Figure 1, whereupon the bottom end of the tubular body 18 is fused to the similar and adjoining end of the hollow stem 14, as at 21, while the upper rim of the body 18 is fused, as at 22, to the external surface of the body 13.

When the sections 11 and 12 of the ampul have been integrally joined together in the manner just described, there is provided in effect a dual ampul having separate compartments within which are respectively stored the therapeutic agents 17 and 19, these ag nts being hermetically sealed from the atmosphere and from each other. It will be observed that the hollow stem 14 together with the lower portion of the tubular body 13 constitute the partition or web which separates the upper section 11 of the dual ampul from the lower section thereof.

In storing the therapeutic agents 17 and 19 within the compartments 11 and 12 of the ampul, it will be understood that the agent 17 is first received within the body 13 thelower end of which has been sealed in the usual manner. The ti 15 is then sealed, as at 16, whereupon the y 13 with the section 12 memes? secured thereto in the manner hereinbefore described is inverted so that the sealed tip 15 of the ampul is presented downwardly. While the ampul is maintained in such inverted position the agent 19'is received within the chamber formed between the stem 14 of the body 13 and the tubular shell 18 of the body 12, the restricted end of the body 12 being then fused to the free end of the stem 14, as at 21. This fusing is thus accomplished without subjecting either of the therapeutic agents 17 and 19 to undue heat.

For a purpose which will be apparent immediately hereinafter, before the parts have been assembled as described above it is preferable to provide a scratch in the external surface of the hollow stem 14 at a point 23 adjacent its lower extremity, a similar incision being provided in the body 18 at a point 24 located immediately below the fused joint 22. With an ampul constructed in accordance with the present invention it is an exceedingly simple matter to effect the necessary mixture between the agents respectively contained within the compartments 11 and 12. In order to establish communication between these compartments the first step is to break the body 18 away from the body 13, as at 25, this being facilitated by the incision 24 formed in the surface of the body 18. Simultaneously as the break 25 occurs, the stem 14 shears off, as at 26, this latter break being facilitated by the incision 23. The body 13 may then be lifted longitudinall with respect to the body 18 (see Figure 3 So long as the upper end of the body 13 remainsher metically sealed, as at 16, none of the liquid agents 17 will flow out of the restricted stem 14 even though the body 13 is lifted free of the body 18. Immediately, however, that this seal is broken, as by breaking off the tip 15, the atmosphere pressure at opposite ends of the body 13 will be balanced with the result that the liquid agent 17 will be caused to flow freely out of said body 13 through its stem 14. This feature is of great importance because in practice one often finds it expedient not to bring the agents together until the very instant that the mixed solution is to be used. 1 j

Figure 4 illustrates a preferredform of holder for the lower section of the ampul after the upper section has been separated therefrom. This holder, designated by the reference numeral 26, is provided with a flat bottom 27 and with a vertically disposed socket 28 of a shape and size suitable for receiving the tubular body 18. It will be understood,

capacity. Wit the body 18 disposed within the holder 26 as indicated both hands of the operator are left free to operate a syringe 29 I for withdrawing the solution 30 contained within the body 18.

It will be understood that various changes in the present invention may be made from time to time without departing from the spirit or principles thereof and it is accordingly intended to claim the invention broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A dual ampul comprising a tubular body having at one end an elongated hollow stem of restricted diameter, and a second tubular body embracing said stem, one end of said second body being integrally united to the proximate end of said stem and the opposite end thereof beingvinteg'rally united to said first mentioned body whereby said stem constitutes a dividing wall between said tubular bodies.

2. An ampul of the character described comprising upper and lower compartments, a tubular stem communicating with said upper compartment and extending longitudinally of said lower compartment, and an hermetically sealed joint between the bottom ends of said stem and lower compartment.

3. An ampul comprising a tubular member having an elongated restricted stem at one end thereof, said member and stem beingadapted to contain a therapeutic agent, a second tubular member integrally united to said first member in embracing relation with respect to said elongated stem, said second memmember terminating in a depending tubular stem of reduced diameter, and a lower member sealed to said upper member and arranged in embracing relation with respect to said tubular stem, the bottom of said lower member and the lower extremity of said stem being sealed together, the several parts being so prepared that upon separating said upper and lower members the said stem will break off to thereby provide an outlet from said upper member, and means for opening the top of said upper member to the atmosphere whereby to cause the contents thereof to flow through said outlet into said lower member.

7. A dual ampul comprising vertically spaced compartmental sections, the upper of said sections being provided with a depending tubular stem extending longitudinally of the lower section, a therapeutic agent commonly contained in said upper section and its depending stem, said lower section containing a second therapeutic agent, and means foreffecting breakage of said stem simultaneously with separation of said upper section from said lower section whereby to permit said liquid to flow through said stem into said lower section.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

STUART KABNICK.

ber being adapted to contain a second agent separated from said liquid agent by said stem, and an hermetically sealed joint for integrally uniting the adjoining extremities of said stem and second member. v

4. An ampul comprising a tubular member sealed at each end, and a hollow stem of re duced diameter disposed within and extending longitudinally of said tubular member, one end of said stem being provided with an enlarged opening the edge of which is integrally united to the wall of said tubular member intermediate the sealed ends thereof, the opposite end of said stem being integrally united to the corresponding end of the tubular member whereby to provide a pair of axially spaced compartments one of which is in communication with the interior of said stem. 5. An ampul comprising upper and lower compartmental sections, the upper section being provided with a restricted-hollow stem extending longitudinally of the lower section and constituting a frangible partition between the interiors of said u per and lower sections, said stem being weak permit it to break off at a point adjacent the lower end thereof simultaneously as said ened so. as to upper section is broken away from said lower 7 section.

F. A dual ampul comprising an upper 

